The Bramble Bush — How to keep going when faced with roadblocks and uncertainty

I started a business and have no idea what I’m doing. Thankfully, I have business partners, so I’m not alone. Nonetheless, I’m passionately plowing my way through endless obstacles, jumping through rings of fire, getting burned, icing my wounds and then jumping right back in. That’s what you’re supposed to do, right? That’s how things get done. That’s how you learn, you grow and find that, “ah-ha” moment.

What is that ah-ha moment and how do you know you’ll find it?

Take a moment and step back in time with me, to the first life lesson I ever learned. It’s funny, what we remember. I remember my dad reading an excerpt to me from a book he had to read in law school called, “The Bramble Bush.”

There was a man in our town and he was wondrous wise. He jumped into a Bramble Bush and scratched out both his eyes. And when he saw that he was blind, with all his might and mane, he jumped into another one and scratched them in again.

At eight years old, he asked me what I thought that meant. Surprising myself, I said, “don’t give up.” Life is going to hit you hard, stuff is going to happen and despite the obstacles and challenges that come your way, you need to keep going and face them head on.

Throughout my life I have leaned on The Bramble Bush a number of times. I wasn’t the girl who had everything going for her in middle and high school. Don’t get me wrong, I was blessed with an amazing and supportive family, great friendships and a slew of interests constantly keeping me occupied and engaged. Those interests included musical theater, ballet, cheerleading and anything artistic and creative. Those interests are also what shaped me and taught me how to work hard.

I wasn’t the girl who picked up a new hobby and instantly excelled. I had to work my butt off for everything I wanted. I auditioned three times, for three different musicals before landing a background role in my local theater’s production of Anne of Green Gables. I made the cheerleading squad in middle school and my excitement was instantly crushed after overhearing gossipy whispers and disconcert from the popular kids at how I could make the squad.

I studied ballet at a school that produced professional ballerinas. I studied everyday after school and most of the day on Saturday, yet I was one of the weaker dancers — that’s until one day my ah-ha moment came. It was during a progress meeting with my dad, teacher and me where she said, sometimes I was good and sometimes I wasn’t. Something shifted for me. If I could be good some of the time, why couldn’t I be good all of the time?

The next day in class, things were different. If you’re familiar with classical ballet, you know the focus and awareness of your body and self that is required. I suddenly had that focus. Next thing I knew I was being asked to demonstrate combinations and was used as an example as the “right way” to execute a step or position.

I recognize the lessons I learned as a child are small in comparison to the obstacles we face as adults. But, referencing them is a reminder that anything is possible, everything will be okay and most importantly, you get what you give.

I may have started as background in a musical theater production, but the last show I did (and it was awhile ago), I was Marty in Grease. As for the cheerleading squad, I went on to win an All-Star trophy, led my squad to Nationals and later traveled the country teaching cheerleading camps to high schoolers for two summers.

I jumped back in that Bramble Bush, again and again, working harder each time. The more I jumped, the more clearly I was able to navigate the uncertainty.

Fast forward to present day, I continue to take the path less traveled and find growth and opportunity when faced with hardships. It’s easy to get beat down and wonder if you’re doing the right thing. Despite the obstacles and challenges that come with navigating a new business, I believe in my mission, myself and my path. I don’t know where it’s going, but I trust it. I encourage you to trust yourself, your journey and your gut. Whether you’re a small business owner, feel stagnant in your career or are just starting out, listen to yourself and your gut, for it holds all the answers. Don’t take it for granted and don’t smother it — it will always be right. That fleeting thought or feeling you receive before your brain has time to convince you otherwise, that’s your gut. Your intuition.

I don’t have a magic pill or secret sauce, I believe that is different for everyone. My hope is that you can learn from my stories, experience and will stay on this wild ride with me. We can learn and grow together. I would love to hear how you’ve overcome obstacles and stay positive and motivated in a space where instant gratification is non-existent.